Social media reacts to Troy Dannen’s departure for Nebraska

After Washington athletic director Troy Dannen’s departure for Nebraska after five months on the job, social media reacted accordingly.

ESPN’s Pete Thamel broke some surprise news on Wednesday morning, reporting that Washington Huskies athletic director Troy Dannen would be departing to assume the same role with the Nebraska Cornhuskers. This announcement came less than six months after Dannen took over for Jen Cohen, who left for USC’s open athletic director position.

During Dannen’s brief stint with Washington, he saw the Huskies make the national championship game and lose to Michigan before losing head coach Kalen DeBoer to the Alabama Crimson Tide in the same week.

He made big promises when it came to investing in the football program and after failing to get DeBoer to sign a contract extension, Dannen went out and hired Jedd Fisch away from Arizona. Then, he fired basketball coach Mike Hopkins and leaves Washington, and more specifically interim athletic director Erin O’Connell, in the middle of a search for the school’s next men’s basketball coach.

“This is deeply disappointing. But as a University committed to the welfare of the entire individual, we understand the need to make choices based on what’s best for one’s family. We wish Troy well,” UW president Ana Marie Cauce said in a statement.

“Leading this program is one of the greatest opportunities in the country. We’ve seen time and again how Huskies compete and win on the national stage and we are grateful for the strong support of Husky Nation, who have positioned us so well for the future. And with coach Fisch joining our group of talented coaches, who are leading teams of incredible student-athletes, our future is bright.”

While Cauce took the diplomatic route, social media had a different approach.

Many offered suggestions on who the next athletic director should be, with basketball legend Isaiah Thomas offering to throw his hat in the ring.

John Canzano added an interesting twist to the story, claiming Dannen’s family never moved to Washington.

Others took Dannen’s a different approach to Dannen’s quick departure.